All collections are delivered in ZIP files. You will need a zip utility program to unzip the designs. Most computers have one when you first buy it, but if not WinZip is one of the best - I can warmly recommend it. Please go to their web site to download an evaluation copy to try!

If you are unsure of how to unzip and extract and where to save the designs you have downloaded or received by email - please do the following:

(Let's assume you have bought the "142 Peony Alphabet")

1. Open your Windows Explorer.

2. Highlight My Designs.

If you do not have one, please do the following (If you have a My Designs folder, please ignore this and go to point 3): Highlight C drive, click on File, choose New, Folder. You should now see a new folder called "New Folder". Once it is still highlighted (blue) type "My Designs" to rename it - you now have a My Designs folder.

3. Highlight My Designs, click on File, choose New and then Folder. You should now see a new folder called "New Folder". Once it is still highlighted (blue) type "Peony Alphabet" or whatever the name of the collection you bought is to rename it. You'll now have a folder for the collection under My Designs where it will always be easy to find.

4. Now it is time to unzip the designs.

Firstly you will have to locate the design zip file on your computer.  Easy if you know where they are, but you might need to do some searching to locate them.  Please open Windows Explorer.  C should be highlighted, click on tools - find - files or folders.  Type in the name of the collection or part of it or the number only (all Needle Passion Embroidery Collections have a number in front of their name) in the Named: section.  Click on Find now. When you have located the file with the zip icon next to it just double click on it and it should open in your zip utility program.

If you received the design zip file by email as an attachment you can also double click on it to open the zip utility program.   Important!  Please always make sure you only open attachments you are expecting and know that they come from reliable sources to avoid computer viruses!

IMPORTANT: When you extract the designs please make sure that the destination is the folder you have just created for them. If you use the default folder they might go anywhere like on the desktop or to a temporary folder...very difficult to find later.

5. You should now be ready to use the designs from your new folder.